“Yeah, good idea,” he said absently, stroking Dellan’s back. “You okay, Dellan?”
Tears pricked Rael’s eyes when Dellan responded. “He said ‘good friend.’”
Roadkill’s smile was huge. “I’ll take that.” He leaned in until his nose was inches from Dellan’s. “I’m gonna be your friend as long as you need me.” When Dellan’s nose touched his, Roadkill chuckled. “That tickles.” He straightened before rubbing his hand over Dellan’s ruff.
“We think that guy shot him with a dart or something. Maybe that was the first time he was drugged,” Rael mused.
Roadkill nodded. “And when Dellan finally shifts back, hopefully he can tell us what happened. If he remembers.”
“What do you mean?” Horvan demanded.
“I mean, this has obviously been a traumatic experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t able to remember part of it. The brain does that. It’s like a safety mechanism to suppress things that might hurt us.” Roadkill’s eyes were focused on Dellan. “We need to be careful not to press him too much. Let him remember what he can.”
Stay. Mates stay.
Rael leaned over and rubbed his face in Dellan’s fur. We’re not going anywhere. And from now on, we sleep with you. Okay?
Okay. There was a pause. No dreams.
Rael’s throat tightened. He would give anything to make sure Dellan had no more nightmares, but unfortunately that was beyond him. He prayed that when Dellan was human once more, the dreams would end.
He didn’t hold out much hope of that, however.
Hashtag came into the room, rubbing his hand over his scalp and yawning. “Does that delicious aroma mean someone’s making hot chocolate?”
Horvan laughed. “Looks like none of us are getting back to sleep anytime soon. What say we find a movie and get comfortable?”
Rael thought that sounded like a great plan. He intended watching it from a pile of pillows on the floor next to Dellan.
Horvan gave him a warm smile. That makes two of us.
RAEL STARED out the window, watching for the car. “How old is the doc?”
“In his late fifties maybe? He’s retired from the military now.” Horvan joined him on the couch. “He’s a good guy.”
“What is he?” So far, Horvan hadn’t mentioned what kind of shifter the doc was.
“I don’t know because I didn’t ask. I just knew he was a shifter.” Horvan chuckled. “A very big shifter. I don’t know about you, but it always struck me as kinda rude, demanding to know what someone shifted into. If they want to tell you, fine. Supposing they shift into something tiny, like a mouse? They might not wanna share that.”
Rael totally got that. He glanced across to where Dellan was sitting on the floor, front paws crossed almost daintily, head erect, looking very regal. “I’ve told him we’re expecting a visitor, so it won’t be a shock.” He yawned.
“I told you to grab some shut-eye before the doc arrives. You look tired.”
Rael narrowed his gaze. “Gee, you think that’s maybe because we were all watching movies in the early hours when we should have been sleeping? And yes, I blame you. It was your idea.” Before Horvan could come back with a response, Rael sighed. “I’m sorry. I get cranky when I don’t get enough sleep.”
Horvan bit his lip. “I’d never have guessed.”
“We’ve got company,” Hashtag announced, walking into the room. “Roadkill’s back. I’ll tell Crank to get his ass in here.”
“Crank’s outside?”
“Sure. He’s bringing in wood for the stove. Of course, he’s bitching about it too.”
The door banged open, and Crank staggered into the room, his arms full of logs. “Take these, one of you, before I drop them on my toes. Not that my toes would feel a thing because they’re fucking frostbitten.”
Horvan and Hashtag relieved him of his burden and piled the logs in the basket next to the stove. Crank stamped his feet on the floorboards, the snow falling off his heavy boots. Moments later, the car pulled up outside and doors slammed.
The doc knocked on the doorframe before entering. “Anyone home?” he said with a smile. In one hand he carried a black leather bag.
Rael liked the look of him instantly. He had a kind face and blue eyes that held a twinkle. His hair was mostly gray, and there were lines around his eyes. Laughter lines.
Crank helped the doc out of his thick coat before clasping hands with him. “Glad you’re here, Doc.”
The doc peered at him. “You’ve put on weight. It suits you.” Crank raised his eyes heavenward. Roadkill and Hashtag took their turns greeting him, and Rael liked